Harry Browne on Immigration

2000 Libertarian Nominee for President

Immigrants create demand rather than take jobs away

Four worries drive most of the opposition to immigration:

JOBS: A new immigrant brings with him a need for products and services-which his job gives him the money to buy. So the immigrant has no net effect on the competition for jobs or the level
of wages. Immigrants donít take jobs away from Americans. They increase the demand for labor and they help meet that demand.

WELFARE: The answer is to stop providing taxpayer-supported welfare to anyone-immigrant or citizen.

CULTURE: The answer
to the culture problem isnít to keep immigrants out, but to restore the America of free individuals, each responsible and self-governing. Immigrants will embrace our culture more quickly when government stops trying to dissolve it.

NOT ENOUGH ROOM:
The US is still a country of wide open spaces. America could triple its population without our existing cities growing any faster than they do now.

Maintain open borders; end war on immigration

End welfare, so that America attracts productive immigrants, rather than people who want to live off the taxpayers. Maintain open borders and a free market--so that America is a haven for people who want to produce in freedom. Government doesnít work,
and a government War on Immigration will be no more successful than the War on Poverty or the War on Drugs.

Source: 1996 National Political Awareness Test
, May 1, 1996

Ease immigration laws; no Official English

Browne does not support legislation to further limit the number of immigrants allowed into the country; and does not support laws that deny human services (such as medical care & public school education) to illegal immigrants. Browne would ease
citizenship requirements making it easier for immigrants to become US citizens. Browne does not support legislation establishing English as the official language of the US.